These days there seems to be an outpouring of eyeliner tips and tutorials, making the makeup selection and execution process a bit of a challenge. How’s a girl to know what type of liner aligns with the eye look she’s going for when there are so many options? Even us extreme beauty-lovers at MDC find ourselves in a similar predicament every morning! So, we went ahead and compiled the ultimate guide to must-know eyeliner looks and the products that make the magic happen! Enjoy!

Walk the Waterline

This is the stuff of Eyeliner 101. For all you eyeliner beginners, a simple pencil liner is the best way to get a flawlessly lined waterline. Run your pencil (we love Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil) along your top waterline, wiggling it gently between your lashes as you move it across. This makes your lashes appear thicker! Sweep the liner across a second time to create a smooth, clean line. Repeat on the lower lash line.

MDC Quick Tip: To give your eyes a little pick-me-up, line your bottom waterline with a beige-colored pencil liner. This will open up your eyes and make you look more awake. Who needs coffee?

Killer Cat Eye

The key to getting a feline-tastic cat eye is in the liner. To achieve precise, razor-sharp application, a liquid liner like Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Eye Liner is the way to go! Create a thick line along the upper lash line, extending past the outer corner. For a more dramatic look, line the entire bottom lash line.

Subtle Smoky Eye

Need to look sultry in under five minutes? Keep a handy powder-based eyeliner pen like L'Oréal Paris Infallible Smokissimee in your makeup bag for a quick and easy smoked-out look. These types of liners come with a foam tip, which allow for more of a buffed-out application, so you can get a smoky eye, sans additional brushes or shadows. Simply run the liner along the top and bottom lash line, using the foam applicator to subtly smudge the color.

Us a cream or gel liner like Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner to get extra creative with your winged liner. Use an angled liner brush to sweep the liner across your top lash line and wing it out. Mimic the wing on the top lash line by drawing the second wing along your lower lash line!

Top of the Line Liner

Grab a lightweight, pigment-packed mousse liner likeNYX Epic Black Mousse Liner to add some definition to the eyes. Starting at the middle of the upper lash line, create a thin line across to the edge, without winging it. Then apply the liner along ⅓ of the outer end of your lower lash line, connecting the tip with the top liner. This will give you the appearance of BIG eyes!

Mod Liner

For a radically retro eye (á la Twiggy) use a liner marker likeMaybelline Eye Studio Master Graphic. These nifty little tools allow for both thick and thin lines as well as ultimate control throughout the application process. Go classic and create a winged eye with a black marker liner or frame the liner with a colored marker and thicken it to add a graphic look.

Which of these looks will you try first? Sound off in the comments below.